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Pen Box

late 13th–early 14th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 455
The lavish miniaturelike overall decoration of this writing case makes it one of the most outstanding objects of its kind. The motifs find parallels in the southwestern Iranian region rather than in Mamluk Syria. The eulogic inscriptions, however, are typically Mamluk, suggesting Syrian production.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Pen Box
  • Date: late 13th–early 14th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Iran, possibly Tabriz
  • Medium: Brass; inlaid with silver and gold
  • Dimensions: H. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm)
    W. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm)
    L. 11 1/8 in. (28.3 cm)
  • Classification: Metal
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.822
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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"The Funeral of Isfandiyar," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"The Funeral of Isfandiyar," Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
1330s
"Nushirvan Eating Food Brought by the Sons of Mahbud", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings), Abu'l Qasim Firdausi Iranian, Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
"Nushirvan Eating Food Brought by the Sons of Mahbud", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
1330s
Ewer, Brass; raised, repoussé, inlaid with silver and a black compound
Ewer
ca. 1180–1210
Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript, Ink, gold, and watercolor on paper
Folio from a Qur'an Manuscript
dated 531 AH/1137 CE
Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa’l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi, Ja`far ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali, Bronze; cast, engraved, chased, pierced
Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa’l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi
Ja`far ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali
dated 577 AH/1181–82 CE

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